Today's News-Saturday, June 7th

Parents upset about the closure of the Ringtown Elementary School are taking their battle to county court. The lawsuit, filed by 10 parents, says that the North Schuylkill school board did not follow the state school code when they voted to close the school, according to the Republican and Herald. Among the issues cited were that a meeting to discuss the closing prior to the vote was not held, and advertising of the meetings. Named in the suit were the North Schuylkill School District, the board and its members and the Superintendent.
The plaintiffs are seeking a preliminary injunction against the closing, and to rule that the actions taken by the board to close Ringtown Elementary on May 8th be nullified. More than 100 students would be moved to the North Schuylkill Elementary School in Fountain Springs in August.

Its a family favorite event, and now, a more affordable one. Kerry Dowd tells us more:

FAIR (click to listen)

Over its 15 years, the Great Pottsville Cruise has grown by leaps and bounds. This year, the event will be filmed by TV's top car guy. Dennis Gage, host of SPEED CHANNEL'S "My Classic Car", will be in Pottsville for the cruise the weekend of August 10th. Gage, a personal friend of Cruise Chairman Jerry Enders, is known around the world at auto shows. Enders says that he has been trying to get Gage to Schuylkill County for 5 years, but scheduling conflicts prevented him from attending. The Cruise week activities begin on August 6th. For all of the events, log on to the official cruise website, http://www.thegreatpottsvillecruise.com/.

A northern Schuylkill County man was found guilty of sex related crimes in county court Thursday. 28-year-old John Benedetto Jr. of Maizeville was found guilty by a jury of corruption of minors, relating to incidents in 2006. Port Carbon police charged that Benedetto with corrupting a girl's morals when she was 15 years old. The jury found Benedetto not guilty of charges of statutory sexual and indecent assault.

The first heatwave of the season has hit the Commonwealth. The Department of Health is offering some tips to stay safe. The National Weather Service has posted excessive heat watches and warnings for central and southeastern Pennsylvania through Monday evening. With the humidity, it will feel like more than 100 degrees. Health Department spokeswoman Stacy Kriedeman says that the hot and humid weather is nothing to take for granted:

KRIEDEMAN (click to listen)

The two most common types of heat-related illnesses are heat exhaustion and heat stroke. The recommendations are simple: Drink plenty of water, avoid caffeine, alcohol or large amounts of sugar, wear light colored clothing, and if you must go outside, limit your activity to the early morning or evening hours, when the temps are lower.

Animals add a lot of benefits to families, including expense. In this tough economy, Kerry Dowd tells us of an alternative that won't break the bank.

SPCA (click to listen)

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - State officials are warning government workers that they could be furloughed if the governor and Legislature can't agree on a budget by the end of June. Gov. Ed Rendell's secretary of administration says that this
year, if there's no budget by midnight on June 30, furloughs will begin immediately. The letter from Secretary Naomi Wyatt says paychecks will stop
for about 25,000 people, but health care coverage will continue if there are furloughs. In addition, the state will seek flexibility from financial institutions regarding loan repayments by furloughed workers. In a separate letter sent to agency heads, Wyatt asks them to double-check the list of who'll be laid off and who'll have to continue working.

WASHINGTON (AP) - Hillary Rodham Clinton is telling supporters in an online message that she promised she would strongly support Barack Obama if he were the nominee and intends to "deliver on that promise." She's scheduled to make a speech today in Washington, formally ending her quest to become the first female president.

WHITE HOUSE (AP) - President Bush is calling on Congress to pass his 178 billion-dollar Iraq war funding request, saying "there is no reason for further delay." In his weekly radio address, the president says U.S. troops "deserve better" than the treatment they are getting from lawmakers.

BAGHDAD (AP) - It's been a busy day in Iraq for the U.S. military. Officials say American troops killed four suspected militants, captured five others and destroyed two safehouses in northern Iraq. Two of those captured are accused of conspiring with senior al-Qaida in Iraq leaders in Mosul.

MIANYANG, China (AP) - The water level is falling in a swollen lake formed by a landslide in China's devastating earthquake. That has eased the immediate threat of a flood that had led to the evacuation of more than 250,000 people.

NEW YORK (AP) - Just hours before the Belmont Stakes -- the final leg of the Triple Crown -- Casino Drive has been scratched. The horse's handlers say the early second choice behind favorite Big Brown has a bruised left hind hoof.